As soon as I got home I opened the book and started to read. Coughing I slowly began to read the first page, but I didn't even read the first sentence before I heard another knock at my door.

I looked up from my book and carefully closed it. I wasn't going to open it but I told myself to stop being judgy and to go open the door. I still cautiously walked towards the door and opened it.

It was a little man who was no taller than 3 feet, "Can I come in?" He asked in an oddly deep voice. His face looked well groomed but very stern; he had wrinkles on his face probably from aging. His nose was his biggest complexion, it stooped down then fattened into a nose pillow. My first thought was ugh. However I was a Hafordium citizen, and we do not judge based on looks.

Even so, I wasn't going down this road again so I bombarded him with questions "Who are you? What's your name? Why are you here?"

He didn't look pestered at all but he did answer exactly in order "I'm a guard of King Richard and Queen Charity, My name is Gordon and I'm here to protect you." I was impressed with Gordon but I wasn't going to let him into my house.

"Thank you, but I don't need any protection." I smiled and closed the door then I turned around and saw him at my table. More witch craft! I swear this was the weirdest day of my life.

I jumped "How did you- you were there-"I pointed "And then there- and-"?"

He held up a hand "True, you need protection, King Phillip and Queen Charity sent me and I'll prove it."

How did he know my name?

He gave me a locket, I wasn't one for jewelry but I took it and started to study it. It was made of real gold and was in a heart shape with etches around the rim. I opened it and inside was a picture of my parents with the King and Queen, I look on the back and it had my full name written in Italics followed by our Nations motto "Trust is the key to all things." I held the locket close to my heart and placed it around my neck, and then I looked up at Gordon "okay," I sighed "I guess you can stay, would you like some candy and milk?"

He smiled "Yes, please." He stared at it youthfully and soon was stuffing his face as if he was a child. As soon as he started to eat the candy I asked him more questions.

"What exactly do you want? Why do you need to protect me?" I started even though I knew that there was probably no answer.

He stopped eating and went serious "The kings brother is back."

"Who's the kings-?"

He cut me off "He's going to try and bring everyone to destruction, you need to be strong it's going to be rough but when you're finished everything will be better."

"That's ridiculous, there's no such person." I started to laugh but Gordon didn't laugh back.

"Was there anyone who visited you today?" He asked instead "Mysteriously after your parents left?"

I looked at the wall behind him and realized who he meant. "The man who came over here." I said "he was the kings' brother." Gordon went back to being chipper.

"Smart girl," He helped himself to more candy. "He's after you the most, but I'm not entirely sure why."

"Me?" I gasped, at the time I wasn't exactly happy, more like no self worth "Well I'm with you on that, I'm just a human who lives in Goodvalnia, I can't do any more than Aubrey next store."

Gordon looked at me almost pathetically "You have no idea what a species like yours can do." A species? I thought, so I'm being compared to dogs now?

"Speaking of Aubrey," I asked "The king's brother also went to her house, so it can't just be me, why don't you go protect her?"

Gordon looked confused then it was as if a light bulb turned on in his head "I understand now! Aubrey isn't a…" he trailed off "Now it makes sense" he started to laugh and ate more candy

I had so many more questions but I wanted him to leave so I started to think of ways to prove that I don't need protection.

As if he had read my thoughts he said "You know I'm not leaving right?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because," Gordon said "While I'm here the king's brother can't come near you."

"In that case." I said "Could you answer some questions?"

"OK," He answered "What do you want to know?"

"Why hasn't the king ever talked about his brother?" I asked.

"A while ago," Gordon started "Way before your parents were born, Goodvalnia wasn't exactly good, it was crazed over with evilness everywhere, the King and his bother fought together to destroy it and they became kings, however his brother became evil and started to change the good in our land then finally his brother got jealous and wanted the throne for himself. King Phillip knew that if his brother got the throne everyone would be ruled in fear, so he banished his brother to a place no one has ever heard of and we haven't seen the king's brother to this day."

"Until now?" I finished. Gordon nodded "Yup, any other questions?"

"Why did he come as soon as my parents left?"

"Your parents were guardians over you and protected you from him, today wasn't the first day he tried to talk to you."

I thought back and remembered my parents answering the door a lot and when I asked who it was the smiled and said "No on you need to worry about right now." However, why did they need to protect me? If his brother has power then doesn't he?

"Dose King Phillip and his brother have powers?" I asked

Gordon gave me a funny look "This isn't a fairytale," he stated "None of the brothers have powers, never have, and never will."

"Then how-" I hesitated, what if he shouldn't know that. "Then how what?" Gordon asked.

Oh well, cats already out of the bag.

"The guy who came over, he was reciting witch craft and made it so I was dizzy. When he left everything he touched turned black and some kind of black liquid followed him out." I explained.

Gordon looked scared very similar to Aubrey "Don't leave the house; I'll be back in a snap." He said panting back a forth. He rubbed his hands over his balding hair.

Even though he was finally leaving I still had more questions and didn't want him to go anymore "Gordon wait!" I yelled but he had already disappeared leaving me alone. What was with him? Am I still in danger?

I heard a knock at the door, wow I'm popular today, I thought. I was about to open it then backed away, there was something weird going on I just knew it, so I looked though the peep hole thinking I was clever. I wasn't.

Gordon popped into the Kings Throne Room and both the King and Queen stood up. "My king!" Gordon yelled scurrying around "Terrible news!"

"Gordon," The queen said gently as a lamb "Calm down, whats the matter?"

Gordon kneeled at those words and caught his breath

"Why aren't you with True?" The King demanded "This must be very terrible news for you to leave your duty and put her in danger. She is the most powerful Nelum and we cannot allow Nazar to capture her.

"I just came from there sir," Gordon explained "and we may need to rethink our plans, your brother has found powers greater than we know, dark magic!"

The King and Queen looked at each other with fear but knew what to do, however they did not like the circumstances.

True's parents heard Gordon and quickly came in bowing to the King and Queen then looking at Gordon with desperation "Gordon is our daughter okay?"

Gordon didn't have time to answer, King Phillip started to take charge "Adam," He said, True's father stepped forward "Make sure your army is prepared, train them in fighting and help them wield swords and shields."

"Megan," said Queen Charity and True's mother stepped forward "make sure to gather medicines and bandage equipment, see if there is a different approach we can use against Nazar." Both Adam and Megan nodded and left.

"Gordon," King Phillip said.

Gordon stood up "Yes sir,"

"Go back to the house it is most important to keep True here, although I fear she is already gone, and thank you for telling me." King Phillip said.

"I'll go my king," Gordon said tripping over his words and feet "Right now, my king."

*Poof*